Sen. Tom Daschle
says the Democratic Party must take a stand against unjustified war.

Washington DC (CNN) -
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle called on the Democratic Party on
Saturday "to show some backbone," and confront the threat that Republican George W. Bush
would drag the country into an unnecessary war.

He said that the party runs the risk of becoming irrelevant if it fails to act. "The Democratic
Party deserves another chance to prove its relevance," the Senator said. "We're entering a new
era. Political wars of the future are not going to fought like battles of the past."
"This is a chance, he said, "for Democrats to show some backbone and resolve."

Daschle said that "enough is enough. We can't let this un-elected administration
continue to
walk all over us
or the public will lose all respect for our party."

The Democratic Party must take the actions necessary as an organized party to retain its
status, the Senator said.

Would you buy a used war from this man?
To anticipate a potential argument from the pro-war crowd, Congress should not give
Bush advance authorization to attack Iraq in case the "last chance" inspections are deemed
a failure. This even though such a request seems reasonable on it's face: the threat of
force might pressure Saddam Hussein to accept the weapons inspectors, the argument would go,
thus making it less likely that the U.S. would have to launch a pre-emptive war.

The logic is sound if you can trust Bush and his handlers to avoid starting a war
with Iraq unless absolutely necessary. But can you? Tim Russert interviewed Dick Cheney
on last Sunday's Meet The Press:

MR. RUSSERT: But what's your goal? Disarmament or regime change?

VICE PRES. CHENEY: The president's made it clear that the goal of the United States is
regime change. He said that on many occasions.

[...]

MR. RUSSERT: So you don't think you can get disarmament without a regime change?

VICE PRES. CHENEY: I didn't say that. I said the president's objective for the
United States is still regime change.

Here we have clarity. Even if inspectors are admitted into Iraq, even if disarmament is
accomplished, Bush's goal - one in which he makes the United States complicit - is to murder
Saddam Hussein. So if anyone contends that Congressional authorization for use of force
contingent on failed inspections may help prevent a war, remind them of Dick Cheney's
statement of objective. Ask if his administration can be trusted to act in good faith on
this matter. The answer should be obvious.

Exactly when did they schedule this high alert? Because I'd hate to think that
somebody in the administration just woke up this morning and, with a smack to the
forehead, exclaimed "Holy Cow! September 11 is this week! Most likely time for
repeat or copycat attacks, must heighten alert level immediately!"